Orchards, Trees & Orchard ProduceSomerset information
Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce
Somerset information
West Somerset District Council are working with cider makers Matthew Clark on an orchard regeneration scheme, whereby Matthew Clark guarantee to take the cider apples from newly planted orchards over 20 acres for 30 years. +44(0)1984 6322291.
South Somerset District Council has a tree planting Project Officer, Barbara Collier, who can offer free practical advice on planting orchards and other tree planting. Contact her on Thursdays or Fridays on +44(0)1935 462022 or Barbara.collier[at]southsomerset.gov.uk
Exmoor National Park: "Orchards are a distinctive landscape feature on Exmoor, typically found adjacent to sheltered farms and particularly in the Vales of Dunster and Porlock. Many of these orchards have been lost, and many that survive are old and unstable." Grants for orchard conservation used to be available. Ring +44(0)1398 323665 for details.
Somerset County Council. Somerset were the first county to give grants for orchard conservation and have done much to keep orchards as part of the landscape and to find outlets for the fruit. Over 20,000 trees have been planted since 1987. Contact Phil Stone about the current grant scheme for orchard restoration, planting and maintenance on +44(0)1823 355420.
A number of books are available from Somerset Countryside Services Group, County Hall, Taunton TA1 4DY, including: 'Somerset Cider, the complete story' (Philippa Legg and Hilary Binding) £8.00 inc. p&p; a video on Somerset's Orchards at £10.00 inc. p&p, 'Apple Varieties of Somerset, a guide to the origins of Somerset's apples' (June Small, detail left), free; and 'The Somerset Guide to Orchards and Cider Makers' (James Crowden), free. Other books to look out for include Cider: The Forgotten Miracle (James Crowden); A Somerset Pomona (Liz Copas). James Crowden was Common Ground's Poet Laureate for Apple Day in 1999 - read his laureate poem.
Reckless Orchard in Bristol and the Wye Valley offer a landscape architecture service and have experience with orchards. The core staff of three have backgrounds in community development, environmental education, urban and community design and ecologically sustainable landscape. See their web-site.
Orchards and Community Orchards
For a cider journey around Somerset, see the Somerset Guide to Orchards and Cider Makers by James Crowden, a free map available from Somerset Tourist Information Centres. Best areas to look: around Wedmore, Glastonbury, Baltonsborough, Martock and Taunton. Orchards can be found on the edge of the levels and moors and mid Somerset Hills, Vale of Taunton and 'Quantock fringes'.
Barrington Court, Nr Ilminster TA19 0NQ. National Trust property with espaliered fruit trees trained along the high stone walls of the kitchen garden. They often celebrate Apple Day, and in 2007, the 100th anniversary of the Trust acquiring this property, they have produced a Centenary Cider from their own orchards, for sale all year. +44(0)1460 241938 or see www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Bickenhall Orchard Local Nature Reserve, on Bickenhall Plain, Paddocks, Bickenhall (at the end of a track off Forest Drove - a green lane that heads south from Battens Green, south east of Taunton. Access to the reserve can be gained by footpath (approx. 1.5km) from the car park at Bickenhall Parish Hall. Grid Ref: ST295183). An 1.5 acre old standard apple and pear orchard in species rich grassland of the local nature reserve bounded by old mixed hedgerow. The grassland includes grasses such as Timothy, crested dog'stail and sweet vernal grass and a rich diversity of herbs including, grass vetchling, meadow vetchling, fleabane, black knapweed, bird's-foot trefoil, pignut, burnet saxifrage, pepper saxifrage, devil's-bit scabious, common twayblade, corky-fruited water dropwort, cowslip and common spotted orchid. There is Adder's-tongue in the damper areas. There are meadow brown, ringlet, large skipper, small skipper and marbled white butterflies and badgers and slow worms. The rare red-belted clearwing moth depends on old fruit trees, especially apple, where their larvae feed under the gnarled, cankerous bark. Some of the old trees are home to mistletoe, mosses and lichens. The orchard is managed by Taunton Deane Borough Council Heritage and Landscape team. There is full public access. Contact: Heritage & Landscape,Taunton Deane Borough Council, The Deane House, Belvedere Road, Taunton TA1 1HE, +44(0)1823 356493, heritage.landscape[at]tauntondeane.gov.uk
Blagdon Orchard, centre of Blagdon village between east End Cricket Pitch and the Meade playing fields. A standard orchard of around half a hectare planted in 1991 on land bought from a private owner by Blagdon Parish Council to keep a green open space in the centre of the village. Villagers sponsored trees that were planted by the Mendip wardens and maintained by the Parish Council. One tree was already present and is thought to date from the mid 20th century. 55 new trees were planted of apples and plums including some local varieties. The trees have mulch mats and bark mulch and after early pruning have been left to grow. There have been problems with wind blowing the trees over that may be due to the wetness of the soil affecting the roots. The grass is grazed by organically reared sheep. Beehives are put in the orchard in the summer. Woodpiles encourage wildlife. There are old tin sheds that are being retained. The fruit is collected by local people although much is left. Wassailing has been held regularly since the late 1990s. Contact: Peter J May, +44(0)1761 463385, peter[at]peterjmay.demon.co.uk
Bloomfield Community Orchard, Bloomfield Allotments, Bath. The orchard was planted in 1997 on seven half-plots in what was an underused allotment site, that was once orchards, by local residents and Bath Permaculture Group. It began as a way to get more people involved in the allotments, provide a focal point for plot holders and a chance to socialise and make friends. The allotments are now thriving. The orchard is of half standard trees and includes culinary and dessert apples, pears, plums, cherries and damsons. The apples chosen gives fruit from July right through to the following May. These include among others, Beauty of Bath (ready to eat by July), Tideman's Early Worcester, George Cave, Golden Russet, Kidd’s Orange and through to Ashmead’s Kernal. The orchard is bounded on two sides by hedges, one by plots and the fourth by cordons of apples. The trees are pruned, hedges cut back and laid when necessary, grass cut by plotholders when needed. The pond is maintained with minimum interference, although some small amphibian refuges have been created. Wildlife that has been attracted since the pond was dug include newts, toads, frogs, slow worms, dragonflies, damsel flies and more. Regular work days are held with a few hours work followed by a barbeque, Apple Day is marked each year and there is a big midsummer social on a Friday evening. A hedgelaying day is planned. Management is run by a loosely organised committee that meets occasionally and informally. The fruit is available to all paid up ploy holders, and a newsletter advises when each variety is ready to pick. The group is planning to buy a press to make juice. Contact: Peter Andrews, +44(0)1225 319117, peter[a]eco-logicbooks.com
Boiling Wells Orchard, Boiling Wells Lane, St Werburgh’s, Bristol. A small old orchard on two and a half acres of west facing bank leased for 40 years (from 2002) by St Werburghs City Farm from Bristol City Council. The orchard is used for young people’s project started in 2002 by the City Farm, and access is limited to organised days and events for school, youth and community groups. The area is close to the motorway, main roads, the railway and large retail buildings but is sheltered among allotments, the City Farm, and Victorian Terraces, and near new community build housing. Three standard apple trees and one plum are thought be around 100 years old. New trees were planted in 2002 with cider and eating apples, plums and greengages. A set has been made and wooden steps built into the bank to aid access. Young hazel trees will be coppiced and hedges layed when ready. Wood piles, wild life towers and bird boxes encourage wild life. Management is mainly the responsibility of two of the City Farm staff. An environmental report was produced in 2002 by Wessex Ecological Consultancy. Apples are used during the projects activities and given to people in the community who are involved, although many of the cider apples are left unused. Apple Day and wassailing are held each year, and there are plans to create an outdoor performance space for theatre, music and storytelling. Contact: Tom Hertogs, St Werburghs City Farm, Watercress Road, St Werburgh’s, Bristol BS2 9YJ, +44(0)117 942 8241, st.werburghs[a]btconnect.com
Broadlands Orchard, Broadlands Fruit Farm, Box Road, Bathford BA1 7LR. Broadlands Orchard Share was set up in 2006 to make better use of a mature orchard of 11 acres with 500 trees available for sponsorship by the local community for £10 a year. Each sponsor can collect a box of apples from their tree at harvest time. The project received Community Champions Award of £2000 from the Scarman Trust which was used to hold regular work days, a special volunteering day, an Apple Supper event at the new Oriel Hall, Larkhall, purchasing tools and equipment for volunteers to use, newsletters, insurance and health and safety items. There are seasonal activities in the orchard including volunteer work days, pruning and planting days and Wassailing. Around Apple Day 2007 a stall was taken at Bath Farmers’ Market as a way of promoting the project, and an apple press was set up for juicing demonstrations using apples from the orchard. 120 free samples of juice were handed out. Contact: Tim Baines, +44(0)1225 312116 or timjbaines[at]yahoo.co.uk
Carhampton Community Orchard, Carhampton, on main Minehead road/A39 in centre of village. Carhampton Community Orchard was established to save an old orchard on Crown Estate land in the centre of the village was under threat from development. Planning permission for the land was sought in 1989 and villagers called a public meeting in the Village Hall. They decided to fight the application in every way possible, formed a ‘Save Our Orchard’ committee, had a collection to help with the expense of the fight and sent objections to the local District Council including a petition with 600+ signatures. Huge posters saying ‘Save Our Orchard’ were erected at either end of the village, reports were written for all the local papers. HTV’s Points West and Radio Bristol came and made broadcasts and were very interested. The Crown Commissioners then changed their agents who were more interested in conservation and they withdrew the planning application. In 1996 the Crown Commissioners offered to lease the orchard to Carhampton Parish Council for a period of 25 years on condition that a management plan was prepared. A committee was established to pursue charitable status and the Carhampton Community Orchard officially came into being. The orchard was neglected since the Second World War and is thought to be much older. It stands on 0.6ha and is gated to keep in sheep, but a key is available at all times. The Orchard is formally opened five or six times a year including for Wassailing and Apple Day which continue and draw in an increasingly far-flung audience, pruning days and visits from groups such as the Brownies. The orchard is mainly of standard trees, apples, plums, pears and medlar. Around 40 new trees have been planted since 1997. Local volunteers prune the trees and maintain the hedges. Fallen trees are retained to encourage birds and insects, and the orchard is never sprayed. The fruit is used by local people, sold in local shops and juiced. Nancy Holt, who was a driving force for Carhampton Orchard, sadly died in 2005 but a management committee and local volunteers continue to maintain the orchard as one of the villages few green open spaces. Contact: Keith Jones, +44(0)1643 821620, ksenoj[at]tiscali.co.uk
Childrens Wood Orchard, Wickworth Way, Taunton Deane (along the River Tone). An orchard planted in 1992 on 0.1ha of land beside the River Tone, owned by Taunton deane Borough Council and previously managed by the Environment Agency. Local children planted standard trees of mixed local cider and dessert apple varieties including Yarlington Mill, Dabinett and Fair Maid of Taunton. The orchard is bounded by a cycleway, ditch, river and canal towpath. The apples are left for passers-by to pick and for wild life. The Borough Council is looking to aid the set-up of a community group to manage the orchard. Contact: Pam Motum . Barbara Collier, heritage and Landscape Team, Taunton Deane Borough Council, The Deane House, Belvedere Road, Taunton TA1 1HE, +44(0)1823 356493, b.collier[at]tauntondeane.gov.uk or see www.tauntondeane.gov.uk (look for Heritage & Landscape).
Clevedon Cider Apple Orchard, off Brookfield Walk, Clevedon. A vandalised orchard that was restocked by volunteers lead by Clevedon Woodcutters for Wildlife in February 2006.
Colliers Way Orchard, Colliers Way cycle track, between Shoscombe, Radstock and Frome. A linear orchard along a cycle route planted by Sustrans in 2005-7 with an apple tree about every half mile for 15 miles. There are also pocket orchards at Conduit Bridge, Bucklands Bridge and Kilmersden, 108 trees in all. Standard apple trees were planted of mixed mostly British varieties. Local volunteers and rangers helped with planting and a there are two volunteer work days a year when the trees are visited and the grass cut. The route is between Shoscombe, Radstock and Frome created along a disused railway line. Many apple trees were seen during route surveys before the cycle track was established, thought to have grown from the discarded apple cores of railway passengers, and this inspired the idea for a new linear orchard. The trees along the path are planted in pairs marked by huge boulders with an etched enamel copper plate giving the apple varieties. The orchard is a reminder of the thousands of ancient orchards that have been felled to make way for roads and development and the varieties that are in danger of disappearing. Contact: Katy Hallett, Sustrans, 2 Cathedral Square, College Green, Bristol BS1 4DZ, katy-hallett[at]sustrans.org.uk or see www.sustrans.org.uk
Congresbury Millennium Green Community Orchard, Congresbury nr Bristol is a 5 acre field for family activities and community events, joined by a pedestrian bridge over the River Yeo to another field, intended for the quiet enjoyment of wild life and the countryside. The Community Orchard was been created in one corner of the smaller field in 1999 with a mixture of local varieties of dessert, culinary and cider apples, wild pear, wild crab and medlar. It is cared for by Congresbury Millennium Green Trust and used to create a link with the orchards which used to exist in the area, provide a place for community celebrations and provide a valuable habitat for wild life. The Trust is currently trying to propagate the Congresbury Beauty apple from grafts taken from an old tree, which has now died.
Dutchies Orchard, off Mare Lane, South Petherton (Grid ref: ST433171). Dutchies Orchard was given to the Woodland Trust in 1994 in memory of Mrs Marion Steuart-Jones (Dutchie) by her family. It is a small orchard covering about 25m, designed and planted with the help of local people in 1996 as part of the Woodland Trust’s ‘Woods on your Doorstep’ millennium project. It is not an orchard in the traditional sense as it has plantings of wild fruit trees surrounded by mixture of native broad-leaved trees including ash, oak and field maple. There is a mown circular path around it and full public access. A Ham Stone seat made by a local stonemason has been placed near the entrance to mark the millennium and looks out over the orchard to the parish church where Dutchie is buried. Contact: Woodland Trust, Autumn Park, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL, +44(0)1476 581135/581111 or see www.woodland-trust.org.uk
Folly Farm Orchard, off the A368, Folly Farm, Stowey, Bishop Sutton, Bristol BS39 4DW. There are three standard orchards at Folly Farm, the 250 acre Avon Wildlife Trust nature reserve of ancient and new woodland, meadows and 18th century farm buildings plus a working farm untouched by intensive farming methods. Two of the orchards, Stowey Orchard and Wathill Orchard, were planted in the 1990s and the third, Garden Orchard, is much older and smaller and stands close to the farm buildings. The varieties at Garden orchard are yet to be identified. Stowey Orchard covers with about 30 apple trees in around 1998. It was planted with old apple varieties and some local varieties including Beauty of Bath Somerset and Ashmead’s Kernel from Gloucestershire. Wathill Orchard was planted with 16 apple trees and 2 medlars in around 1996. It was planted with old apple varieties such as API Rose, Court Pendu Plat and Orleans Reinette, and some local varieties including Beauty of Bath and Dabinett from Somerset and Ashmead’s Kernel from Gloucestershire. There is full public access, the reserve is open all year round and there are waymarked trails including a trail with disabled access. Contact: Avon Wildlife Trust, Folly Farm, Stowey, Bishop Sutton, Bristol BS39 4DW, +44(0)117 926 8018/5490 or see www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Frieze Hill Community Orchard, off Staplegrove Road, Frieze Hill, Taunton (footpath from Staplegrove Road next to the access to Turner's follow path past the end of the allotments. Alternative access is available from adjoining Home Cottages/Roseberry Terrace at the end of Richmond Road). A standard mixed orchard of 1.39ha planted in 2003 by the Frieze Hill Community Orchard Group on land owned by Taunton Deane Borough Council amongst farmland and allotments and next to a railway line. The orchard is managed by the Community Orchard Group with help from the Council parks staff who mow the grass four times a year. Using a grant from Somerset County Council, apple, pear, plum, mulberry, quince, medlar, damson walnut and other nut trees were planted including many varieties from the south west. Some wildflowers have been introduced and a new mixed hedge of hazel, holly, hawthorn, blackthorn, spurge and bramble donated by the Borough Council, has been planted. Lots of wildlife has been seen including badgers, foxes, rabbits, common birds, butterflies and moths. The orchard has now been designated as a Local Nature Reserve. The group has commissioned an entrance market in the form of a wooden post carved with the name of the orchard, a notice board and a unique carved seat. Wassailing and Apple Day are popular, and there are work days, open days and visits from the Six Acres Special Needs Group. Contact: Margaret Gibson, Chair of the group, 6 Elm Grove, Taunton TA1 1EG, +44(0)1823 274059, margaret[at]communityorchard.org.uk or see www.communityorchard.org.uk
Frome Millennium Green Orchard, Frome Millennium Green, off Willow Vale, Frome. A small apple orchard planted by local volunteers as part of a new park, Frome Millennium Green alongside the River Frome, on what was grazing land and a quarry. The park was created with a grant from the Countryside Agency Millennium Commission along with grants from Frome Town Council and local businesses. It is leased by the Frome Millennium Green Trust for 999 years from Mendip District Council. Somerset varieties have been chosen including Oaken Pin, Tom Putt, Golden Knob, Old Somerset Russet, Hoary Morning and Beauty of Bath. Another area of park has crab apple trees surrounding a ‘Poetry Stone’ sculpture of Portland Stone, commissioned along with other sculptures in the park from local artists by the Frome Millennium Green Trust. The Poetry Stone is inscribed with Siegfried Sassoon’s poem, ‘South Wind’. Another sculpture by Tim Ahsby has oak end posts carved with apples, cattle, the sun and a family to represent a little of what makes up Somerset’s past and present. The orchard and park are managed as a semi-wild area for local wild life and people. There is a picnic area and disabled access. Contact: Frome Millennium Green Trust c/o Berkeley Hall, 21 King Street, Frome BA11 1BJ.
Gabriels Community Orchard (left), off Park Hill (A361), Pilton (footpath across the road from the entrance to Parson’s Batch). A large orchard of around 250 trees was planted in 1998 and 1999 on 2.4ha of land, once part of Pilton Vineyard, which was donated by a local couple. After discussions beginning in 1996 about how to mark the Millennium, villagers decided it would be a great opportunity to create a traditional orchard of varieties which had been important in Somerset and particularly to Pilton. Mostly apple, plus pear cherry, quince, medlar and plum trees were planted. Somerset and West Country varieties were chosen including Beauty of Bath, Bell Apple/Sweet Sheepsnose, Black Dabinett, Bridgewater Pippin, Burrow Hill Early, Crimson King, Golden Knob, Harry Masters Jersey, Hoary Morning, Kingston Black, Merchant Apple of Ilminster, Somerset Lasting, Somerset Redstreak, Somerset Russet, Stoke Red, Taunton Fair Maid, Tom Putt, Yarlington Mill and many more. Further planting has come from propagating trees found growing in the parish that have been identified by Liz Copas. Those that are important to preserve are propagated and cared for in nursery beds for future planting. Six Managing Trustees take care of day-to-day management while the parish Council remain the Custodian Trustees. The grass is cut by tractor and by hand near the trees, and occasionally grazed by sheep. A badger ‘door’ has been installed. Around 100 trees have so far been sponsored by villagers. Pruning Days are held twice a year in late winter and in autumn under expert supervision of Les Davies, the Mendip Hills Warden. Volunteer work days are held on the first Saturday morning of every month. Contact: Joe King, Mulberry Cottage, Bread Street, Pilton BA4 4BQ, king[at]pilton80.wannadoo.co.uk
Gross Wood, Shootlalong Field, Norton Sub Hamdon (Grid Ref: ST473160). A 4 acre wood at the base of Ham Hill, designed and planted with the help of local people in 1998 as part of the Woodland Trust’s ‘Woods on your Doorstep’ millennium project. Among the mixed native broad-leaved trees, a small area was planted as an orchard reflecting the past tradition of orchards in the area. There is a small pond on the western boundary and views from either end towards the village church and Ham Hill. Contact: Woodland Trust, Autumn Park, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL, +44(0)1476 581135/581111 or see
www.woodland-trust.org.uk
Ham Green Community Orchard, Ham Green, Pill, Bristol (Ham Green turn-off from A369, past St Katherine’s School on right, turn right at first mini-roundabout and take first left, the orchard is past the row of houses). An old hospital orchard of 3.5 acres, with about 130 standard apple trees in 16 rows, 3 rows of pear trees dating 1949, plus 30 trees planted by North Somerset District Council more recently to fill in the gaps. The hospital was closed in 1990 and the land sold to a developer, Red Row. The orchard was neglected for some time until adopted by the District Council in around 2004. Restorative pruning has begun on the old trees, gaps are being filled with standard trees. The grass is being cut four times a year to reduce vigor and yellow rattle seed have been sown. Some dead standing trees have been left, and woodpiles created for invertebrates. Nesting boxes including a barn owl box have been erected and windfalls are left for wild life. Badgers, kestrels and woodpeckers are seen, redwings and fieldfares are attracted to the trees in winter. A Management Committee of local volunteers is being formed to take over the orchard work and plan for the orchard’s future, in liaison with local councils. The fruit is available for anyone to pick although no one is meant to make financial gain from selling the fruit. Contact: Brian Heaton, +44(0)1275 372723
Hartcliffe Millennium Green Community Orchard, off Bishport Avenue, Hartcliffe, Bristol. The orchard was planted in 1999 on part of a community-owned park, the Millennium Green, that was created form school playing fields. It was planted on three quarters of an acre of the park by the Friends of Hartcliffe Millennium Green and local volunteers. The Green is leased by the Hartcliffe Millennim Green Trust on a 999 year lease from Bristol City Council. Standard trees of apple, pear, plum, cherry and walnut plus soft fruit have been planted. The orchard is managed by the Hartcliffe Health & Environment Group, and the Friends Group. Hay is cut annually to encourage wildflowers, and the mixed hedges are being layed. Voles, mice, sparrows, robins blue tits and greenfinches, frogs and butterflies are seen in the orchard. The Millennium Green also has garden with a pond, reed bed, amphitheatre, rockery garden, willow sculpture and lots of seating. Local schools have used the Green and the orchard as an outdoor classroom and a Junior Rangers lunchtime club from Teyfant Community School meet weekly to pick litter, plant bulbs and trees etc. Contact: Oliver Roberts, Secretary, Friends of Hartcliffe Millennium Green, hartcliffegreen[at]fsmail.net
Henlade Wood, Henlade, 5 miles from Taunton (Grid ref: ST272225). Henlade Wood was acquired by the Woodland Trust in 1997 as part of the Woodland Trust’s ‘Woods on your Doorstep’ millennium project. The 9 acre piece of land was ancient woodland until the 1950s when it was cleared for agriculture with four small areas of ancient woodland left, at least 400 years old. The new wood was designed and planted in 1998 with the help of local people with ash, oak, field maple, cherry, hazel and native shrubs. A small area that was formerly an orchard has been planted with apple trees. As the canopy of young trees develops the grass will diminish and the shade loving woodland plants that survived in the pockets of ancient woodland will return. Contact: Woodland Trust, Autumn Park, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL, +44(0)1476 581135/581111 or see www.woodland-trust.org.uk
Horfield Organic Community Orchard, Horfield Allotments, off Kings Drive, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 (entrance opposite 23 Kings Drive). An orchard planted in 1998 in an unused corner of an allotment site by members of Avon Organic Group who continue to manage it. Standards, half standards and bush trees plus cordons, espaliers, fans and stepovers have been planted including apples, pears, plums, cherries, medlar, walnut, cobnuts, apricot and peach as well as a mixed fruiting hedgerow. The orchard is managed organically with a working party once a month. Bird boxes have been erected, lacewing hotels and hedgehog cover installed, roof ridge tiles on a bank for slowworms, patches of nettle and bramble left, and there is a large pond. Access for the public is limited to invitation only as only plotholders have keys to the locked gates. The fruit is shared out on work days, and any extra used for Apple Day, and sold at the local Farmers’ market and Slow Food Market. Apple Day and Wassailing are held each year, popular workshops including ‘Creating a Community Orchard’ in 2007, and the orchard takes part in the Bristol Festival of Nature. Contact: Pauline Markovits, 80 Kings Drive, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8JH, +44(0)117 8248124, Pauline.markovits[at]blueyonder.co.uk
Magpie Bottom, Bristol. An area for wild life and the public between the built up areas of Hanham and St George, being restored and maintained by volunteers, includes an old orchard.
Metford Road Orchard, Metford Road Allotments, Redland, Bristol (gate in between numbers 37 & 39). An orchard as well as a water garden and wildlife site were established at the Metford Road Allotments in 2003. The allotments are on sloping ground, on the other side of the valley to Redland Green Allotments. Volunteers planted and maintain the orchard and gardens on workdays throughout the year. There have been pruning and grafting workshops. Orchard members pay £12 and commit to at least 4 work days and can take home a healthy share of the produce. At most times access is limited to allotment holders and keyholders only, but everyone is welcome to become a member, attend work days and events. Contact: metford_orchard[at]yahoo .co.uk or Joe on 07840 059079.
The Orchard, Broadmoor Lane, Weston, Bath. Orchards existed on Broadmoor Lane for many years, but a new housing development was built between 2001-2004. Ten years previously residents fought a planning battle to save the orchard. A enhanced plan was approved that allowed 37 houses leaving most of the old orchard in amongst the new estate. Once the building work was complete, Broadmoor Lane Residents’ Association held an Apple Day in 2004 and invited the new residents to take part, harvesting the apples and juicing them in a press donated by Bath Organic Group. The Association has been negotiating with Redcliff Homes and Bath & North east Somerset Council to take ownership of the orchard to secure it for the community.
Two orchards have been restored around the School Study Centre at Piles Mill on the National Trust Holnicote Estate, Selworthy. Open to the public. See the National Trust web-site.
Redland Green Community Orchard, Redland Green Allotments, Redland Green Park, Redland, Bristol. A small orchard of 15m x 30m planted in 2005 on unused plots at Redland Green Allotments, Bristol. The plots are leased from Bristol City Council by Redland Green Community Orchard Group. It is surrounded by a stream and a copse, and working allotment plots. Half standard trees of apple, pear, plum, quince and damson have been planted, along with apricots, peach, nectarine, grapes and fig in a polytunnel. The crop is still small but will be shared amongst members as it increases. The orchard is managed organically. There is a pond with native plant species that attracts newts, darter and hawker dragonflies, frogs and water boatmen. Nest boxes, woodpiles, new hedgerows and compost heaps, all hoped to encourage wild life. There are foxes, slowworms and many species of bird including sparrowhawk, green woodpecker, jays, crows, magpies, blue tits, great tits and long tailed tits. Also comma, marbled white and other butterflies. There are monthly work days and more events will be planned when the orchard becomes more established. Access is limited to allotment holders who all have keys to the gates. Contact: Michael Davis, +44(0)117 904 6198
Rickford Community Orchard, off Broomfield Walk, Clevedon, North Somerset. A apple orchard planted in 2004 with four year old standard trees as a reserve for local varieties of fruit and for wild life by the Rickford Community Association, a residents group. Nearly the whole village turned out for the planting day. In 2006 all were growing well and ‘windfall tipple’ juice had been produced from a bumper harvest in 2005, but sadly all the trees were vandalised, sawn off just above the deer guards. They were immediately replaced with help from local conservation volunteers, Clevedon Woodcutters for Wildlife. By 2007 the grass had not been grazed or cut for 5 years and it was arranged for sheep to graze the orchard. The boundary hedges and walls were made stock-proof, and fence replaced before the sheep were due in at the end of April that year. The apples are intended for juicing so a mixture of cider, cooking and eating apples were chosen. The project has had some assistance from the Mendip Hills AONB with an apple tree workshop in 2007 and the Senior Warden, Les Davies helped with the original planting in 2004. Contact: Judith Tranter, Rickford Community Association and Parish Wildlife Warden, +44(0)1761 462276 or judith.tranter[at]virgin.net
Visit the Orchard section at the Royal Bath & West Show which is held at the end of May / beginning of June. Call +44(0)1749 8222200 or look at the show's web-site.
Royate Hill Reserve, Eastville, northeast Bristol has an old orchard. The reserve consists of two opposite railway embankments linked by a disused viaduct. Contact: Avon Wildlife Trust on +44(0)117 917 7270 or mail[at]avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Wassailing takes place on the old Twelfth Night (Jan 17) across Somerset, including Carhampton and Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury. This museum shows how cider has been made throughout the centuries.It also has an orchard with many old varieties of cider apple trees and rare breeds of farm animals. Visit their cidermaking demonstration on Apple Day, +44(0)1458 831197.
Thingwall Park Organic Orchard, Plot 180, Thingwall Park Allorments, Fishponds, Bristol BS16. An apple orchard planted in 2005 on unused plots at Thingwall Park Allotments in the Fishpond area or Bristol, on land owned by the City Council. Grants for trees, stakes etc were received from the Tree Council, the Wakeham Trust and a local business, Essential Trading. Further funds were raised from membership fees. There are around nineteen trees including apples, pears, and plums with some local varieties such as Cheddar Cross and Beauty of Bath. The orchard is managed through a committee of volunteers. The allotments borders a park with lakes, a river and established woodland in which fifty bird species have been recorded, many of whom visit the orchard. Badgers and foxes are also regular visitors. There is a beehive on a nearby plot and plans to plant native plants to attract insects. There are regular work days and wassailing, and the first Apple Day was held in 2006. On other days access is limited to plotholders. Contact: Irene Blessitt, 51 Everest Road, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2DA, +44(0)117 965 8429, cblessitt[at]hotmail.com
Traditional varieties of cider apple trees have been planted in Wellhouse Lane Orchard at Glastonbury Tor by the National Trust and Glastonbury Conservation Society in order to restore the orchards that once grew around the Tor. Contact +44(0)1985 843600 for the National Trust Regional Office.
Church Orchard, Mason’s Orchard and Winslow’s Paddock, all within Weston Moor Reserve, Weston in Gordano, near Portishead. Three small orchards within the 70ha Weston Moor nature reserve in Weston in Gordano owned by Avon Wildlife Trust. There is full public access to the orchards and fields north of Watton Brook but some of the 59 hectare reserve is restricted to avoid disturbance to wild life. The orchards were planted in 2001 as part of a project to restore the reserves slopes to their historic orchard use. Church Orchard is a mixed orchard of standard apples, pears and damsons and Mason’s and Winslow’s are standard cider apple orchards. Somerset apple varieties have been chosen including Beauty of Bath, Golden Knob, Rough Pippin, Hoary Morning, Hangdown, Somerset Redstreak, Harry Masters, Ashton Bittersweet, Ashton Brown Jersey and Stoke Red. Much of the fruit is so far left for wild life. The fields are linked with species-rich rhymes providing the wet grassland is important for its breeding waders and rare plants such as cotton grass, marsh pennywort, yellow sedge, lesser butterfly orchid, frog-bit and fen pondweed along with nationally scarce invertebrates such as the hairy dragonfly and ruddy darter. The high water table is being reinstated to reverse the recent trends in field drainage. In the spring and summer the fields attract breeding lapwing, redshank and snipe. Other birds such as little owl, linnet, reed bunting and skylark also breed in the area. Sparrowhawk, buzzard and green woodpecker are regularly seen. Contact: John Harrison, Voluntary Warden, Box Bush Cottage, Weston in Gordano, nr Portishead, BS20 8PZ, +44(0)1275 843024, john[at]boxbush.freeserve.co.uk, www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Where to buy apples and orchard produce
Ashill Cider, Clifford House, Ashill Farm , Ashill, Ilminster, +44(0)1823 480513.
Barrington Court, near Ilminster has produced a Centenary Cider to mark the 100th anniversary of the National Trust acquiring this property. Details above.
Black Mac Cider, John McGrouther, The Orchards, Stembridge, Martock . Traditionally made cider from their own other unsprayed local orchards. Use traditional straw pressing method. Sales at door by arrangement. Please ring first, +44(0)1460 241736.
Black Rat Cider is produced in Somerset for Moles Brewery of Melksham, Wiltshire. It is produced traditionally in a family Somerset cider farmhouse using a blend of locally grown apples.
Bridge Farm Cider, East Chinnock, nr Yeovil BA22 9EA. Use own apples and those from other local orchards. Available from the farm in summer and at local farmers' markets.Contact Nigel Stewart, +44(0)1935 862387.
Charlton Orchards, Creech St Michael TA3 5PF. 30 kinds of apples, pears, plums, damsons etc. 10 single variety apple juices, jams, jellies and chutneys from the farm orchard. 61b gift boxes of apples sent by post, recipe books and fruit trees for sale. Take a walk through their 45 acres of orchards and visit the farm shop and tea room. They celebrate Apple Day each year and usually have a stall at the Apple Day at Montecute House as well. Contact Robin & June Small or Matthew Freudenberg, +44(0)1823 412959.
East Pennard Organic Wines, Avalon Vineyard, The Drove, East Pennard, Shepton Mallet BA4 6UA, +44(0)1749 - 860393. Produce fruit wines including plum, elderberry and apple, plus cider from their own orchards and some small local orchards, all organic certified. The cider is made using straw on an ancient hand turned cider press. Batches vary depending on the mix of apples. Available in the Vineyard shop, some local shops and by mail order from their website.
Matthew Clark plc, The Cider Mill, Kilver Street, Shepton Mallet. One of the largest cider makers who have incorporated Taunton Cider, Showerings, Coates, Gaymers, Whiteways and others. They produce 40 million gallons of cider annually. Visits by special arrangement, +44(0)1749 334000.
Ermie & Gertie's Apple Juice & Cider, Pitney House, Pitney, Langport TA10 9AR, +44(0)1458 252308. Small scale cider and apple juice makers using fruit from their own orchards and other local orchards. The cider is made with cider varieties, they also make single variety ciders, all are finished in oak rum barrels. They also make ice creams and sorbets including Apple and Cider Brandy sorbet.
Hecks Farmhouse Cider, 9-11 Middle Leigh, Street, BA16 0LB Somerset cider, including single variety ciders, perry & 12 varieties of apple juice. Chris & Andrew Hecks, +44(0)1458 442367.
Lillypool Café and Farmhouse Shop, Shipham near Cheddar +44(0)2934 743994. An outlet for local cider and other produce.
North Perrott Fruit Farm, Townsend Farmhouse, North Perrott TA18 7SR . Apple, plums and pears from the farm shop. PYO apples July-Oct. Farm produced apple juice also available by mail order. Contact: Jonathan Hoskyns, +44(0)1460 73451
The Orchard Pig, West Bradley Orchard, West Bradley, Nr Glastonbury BA6 8LT . Apple juice including single variety, and cider makers using fruit from their traditional cider orchard and nearby orchards. The orchard is home to Old Spots (Orchard Pigs). Two of their ciders won awards at the Bath & West Show in 2007. Contact: sales@orchardpig.co.uk, +44(0)1458 851222 or Mob. 07957 870386 or see www.orchardpig.co.uk
Perry's Cider Mills, Dowlish Wake, Ilminster TA19 0NY. Cider farm and museum. Traditional ciders and apple juice from the farm shop. Contact Mrs Perry, +44(0)1460 52681.
Quality English Apple Juice, The Bailiff's Cottage, The Green, Compton Dando, BS39 4LE Over 100 different varieties of English Apple Juice, cider vinegar, perry, plum juice, and pear juice sold at Bath Farmers' Market and others. Contact Keith Goverd, +44(0)1761 490624.
Quiet Corner Farm, Henstridge BA8 0RA, apples from their old tall tree orchard, including bramleys, Cornish Aromatic, Russets, King of the Pippins and Warrior, a Dorset variety for cooking and eating, and Conference pears, all hand picked and unsprayed. Not a farm shop - they sell at Farmer's Markets in Somerset and Dorset during the season, from August to Christmas. Plus orders placed early will be notified when ready. Make own apple juice availble in Autumn. Entrance via Marsh Lane, off the A357. The farm also offer B&B. +44(0)1963 363045 or email quietcornerfarm[at]aol.com
Rich's Farmhouse Cider, Mill Farm, Watchfield, Nr Highbridge TA9 4RD . Cider, cider vinegar and apple juice. Available from the Cider Farm Shop along with lots more local produce including dairy, preserves, and locally made cider mugs and cider jars, and visit the Cider Press Restaurant. Rich's have been producing cider for more than 50 years, and in 2000 planted a new orchard of 500 standard cider apple trees. +44(0)1278 783651 or see www.richscider.co.uk
Sheppy's Cider, Three Bridges, Bradford on Tone TA4 1ER. Rural life museum and cider farm centre, guided tours of the 42 acre orchards.You can visit the cellars and modern press room. Produce cider including single varieties, plus cider with honey. +44(0)1823 461233.
The Somerset Distillery & Burrow Hill Cider, Burrow Hill, Kingsbury Episcopi, Martock TA12 6BU (below). Farmhouse cider and cider brandy distilled from Somerset apples and matured for up to 10 years in small oak barrels. Farm shop open from Mon-Sat 8.30- 5.30. Contact Julian Temperley, +44(0)1460 240782.
Torre Cider Farm, Washford, Watchet +44(0)1984 640004 produce apple juice, cider vinegar and cider made from traditional varieties in their own and other local orchards. Also other local produce, and a café. The farm is off the A39, a quarter of a mile past the White Horse Inn on the Washford to Wiveliscombe road.See their web-site.
Somerset Food Links - producers selling direct to the public - see their web-site.
'South Somerset & Sherborne Guide to Wholesome Food', South Somerset District Council, +44(0)1935 462462.
South West of England Cider Makers Association +44(0)1460 240782 or +44(0)1392 876658.
Thatchers Cider, Myrtle Farm, Sandford, Winscombe BS25 5RA. Farm shop, +44(0)1934 822862.
Local foods information in 'All in Good Taste' from South Somerset District Council, +44(0)1935 462462.
'Bath & Surrounds Local Food Directory' from Bath & North East Somerset Council, +44(0)1225 477662.
Taste of the West, call +44(0)1392 440745 or look at their web-site.
The Little Earth Book and other guides to special places to stay which value local foods and traditions can be bought from Alastair Sawday Publishing - contact Paula Brown on +44(0)1275 464891 or look at their web-site.
Somerset Apple Cake - a moist cake made with chopped apples, cinnamon and mixed spice.
Chew Valley Trees, Winford Road, Chew Magna, Bristol BS18 8HJ, tel: 01275 333752 or see
www.chewvalleytreesandlandscapes.co.uk - 10 varieties of apples on various rootstocks + cider apples, pears, plums, cherries. Offer mail order, and free planting guide.
Cider Apple Trees, 12 Tallwood, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 5QM stocks 30 varieties of cider apple trees and 60 of eating and culinary varieties. +44(0)1749 343368.
Merriott Garden Centre (formerly Scott's of Merriott), 4 Higher Street, Merriott TA16 5PL, +44(0)1460 72306 or see www.scottsnurseries.co.uk - over 200 varieties of apple including cider apples and perry pears + plums, pears, etc. Offer mail order service.
